And drench'd conservatory breathes abroad, It's foul inhabitant. But to assuage Th' impatient fervour, which it first conceives 500 Must prompt him, and admonish how to catch Th' auspicious moment, when the temper'd heat, Friendly to vital motion, may afford Soft fomentation, and invite the seed. The seed, selected wisely, plump, and smooth, And glossy, he commits to pots of size 510 And fruitful soil, that has been treasur'd long, And drank no moisture from the dripping clouds. These on the warm and genial earth, that hides The smoking manure, and o'erspreads it all, He places lightly, and, as time subdues If fann'd by balmy and nutritious air, Strain'd through the friendly mats, a vivid green. And interdicts it's growth. Thence straight succeed Prolific all, and harbingers of more. The crowded roots demand enlargement now, Large foliage, overshad'wing golden flow'rs, Blown on the summit of th' apparent fruit. 530 These have their sexes! and, when summer shines, The bee transports the fertilizing meal From flow'r to flow'r, and ev'n the breathing air 540 Grudge not ye rich, (since Luxury must have His dainties, and the World's more num'rous half Lives by contriving delicates for you) Grudge not the cost. Ye little know the cares, 550 That ye may garnish your profuse regales The process. Heat and cold, and wind, and steam, ing flies, Minute as dust, and numberless, oft work Dire disappointment, that admits no cure, Devises, while he guards his tender trust; 560 Who loves a garden loves a greenhouse too. Unconscious of a less propitious clime, There blooms exotic beauty, warm and snug, While the winds whistle, and the snows descend. The spiry myrtle with unwith'ring leaf Shines there, and flourishes. The golden boast Of Portugal and western India there, The ruddier orange, and the paler lime, Peep through their polish'd foliage at the storm, 570 And seem to smile at what they need not fear. And cherries hangs her twigs. Geranium boasts Her crimson honours, and the spangled beau, Ficoides, glitters bright the winter long. All plants, of ev'ry leaf, that can endure 580 The winter's frown, if screen'd from his shrewd bite, Their jessamine, her jessamine remote They form one social shade, as if conven'd But by a master's hand, disposing well The gay diversities of leaf and flow'r, 590 Must lend it's aid t' illustrate all their charms, And dress the regular yet various scene. Plant behind plant aspiring, in the van The dwarfish, in the rear retir'd, but still |